Author's note: Hmmmk. The end of The Initiation episode! hahah gosh. That single episode took like three chapters. Anyway, the first part of this post starts off with Pam's perspective. I just didn't think I could write her phone conversation with Jim from Ryan's point-of-view. So the first part is from hers. And then it switches over to our beloved former temp (: Also, I love my reviewers more and more each day. You guys are the best.

"And how many kitchens?" the familiar voice asked, a hint of laughter in his tone.

"I have one kitchen," she replied, smiling. Her smirk grew as she heard his gorgeous snicker on the other line.

"Wow. You got totally taken for a ride, Beesly!" She giggled with him and attempted to reply, but he interrupted her. Not that she minded. At all. "Most apartments these days have like, three."

"Right," sarcasm seeping through the phone line. "Three kitchens?" Without warning, a completely different object of her affections came bursting through the office door. He looked… upset. She had become quite good at recognizing his different emotions, but even without her newfound talent, she could probably feel the disappointment radiating from him at that moment. She somewhat abandoned her phone call and instead chose to worry about the former temp. He stormed to his desk, forcibly throwing random sheets of paper and a few pencils into his briefcase. Dwight strolled in a few seconds later, seemingly watching over the other man in the room. She faintly heard a few calls of her name in her left ear, but pushed them aside and called out to her new best friend. "Ryan? Are you okay?"

He paused his mini-tirade and sighed. "Yeah…" he replied, but kept his focus on his desk beneath him. "Yeah." She turned toward Dwight, who simply nodded at her before strutting out the door, leaving her and Ryan alone.

"Pam? Pam!?" Well, not exactly alone.

"I'm here. Sorry. What were you saying?" she replied, a little distracted. Her thoughts still centered on Ryan.

"It's okay. I, uh, I just said that it's impossible to cook all three meals in one kitchen." She laughed half-heartedly, but he seemed to buy it. Ryan had finished packing his things and headed for the door, pausing only to place a small white object on her desk. He gave a little wave and turned to walk away. Curious, she grabbed the tiny figurine for a better look.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Ryan tried to hide his amusement as he finished putting the useless faxes into his briefcase. Whoever Pam was talking to, she blew off to make sure he was okay. He didn't understand why he enjoyed that fact so much. She had turned back to her phone conversation, although without the usual enthusiasm she shared when she talked with him, and he began to leave. Not wanting to go without making contact with her, he placed Mose's whittling creation on her desk and waved before heading out the door.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Ryan smiled as she gasped at his little "gift." He had gotten her attention from the person on the phone once more. He pushed his immature jealousy aside and slowed his pace, listening for more of her reaction.

"Bye, Jim." His eyes grew wide as the receiver clicked, signaling she hung up. She was talking to Jim? He whirled around to face her, and was surprised to find her only mere inches from his face, skipping toward him with joy. However, she hadn't taken his sudden stop into account, and crashed into his thin frame, sending them tumbling to the ground. Ryan's briefcase was digging sharply into his thigh, Pam's hair washing over his face. He grunted, causing her to giggle slightly. She pulled her head from his shoulder, and he instantly felt colder. He told himself that he didn't know why, but a tiny feeling in the back of his mind didn't want her to leave his side. Ever. On the other hand, her head leaving the crook of his neck meant that her face suddenly appeared directly in front of him, and he definitely didn't mind that view. She looked at him with such an intensity, all Ryan could do was gulp loudly. A small smile tugged on her mouth, and he let out a tiny grin in return. She bit her bottom lip in anxiety, and closed her beautiful, sparkling eyes. As he stared into her face, memorizing everything he could from this moment, it took all he had not to kiss her right there. Stop it, Ryan. You don't like Pam. She opened her eyes again and sighed a little into him before rolling to the side. Immediately Ryan was saddened with the disappearance of her warmth. However, he didn't fail to notice the fact that her hand was still tangled up with his. They stayed like that for a few moments, staring at the ceiling, letting their breathing flow together. In and out, in and out.

"Did you hang up on Jim to come lay on the floor with me?"

He heard her soft intake of breath. His question had surprised him, too. "I guess I did," she smiled, turning to look at him. He kept his eyes on the fluorescent lights above them, but he couldn't help the tiny grin that erupted over his face. She squeezed his fingers before returning her attention to the ceiling tiles. "Although, I didn't really think we'd be laying on the ground. I was going for more of a hug." His smile widened and he jumped to his feet, with a little too much enthusiasm. She laughed a little at his actions and pretended to refocus on counting the ceiling tiles, but her curious eyes gave her away. She grabbed his outreached hand, and he pulled her from the floor in one smooth motion, trying not to laugh as she searched his arms for a sign of muscle. When they were both comfortably standing, he stretched his arms out to her, and a puzzled expression stared back.

"Hug?"

"Oh, right," she laughed, and leaned into him for a few seconds before trying to pull away. For some reason, he had decided to be brave and simply held her tighter. "Oh…" she gasped, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. He couldn't help but smile as she snuggled into his shoulder, her gentle breath keeping him warm in the otherwise chilly office building. Okay, maybe you like her a little. He leaned against her head, subtly breathing in her scent. It was something he didn't recognize, but it was sweet. Very sweet, but it had a sort of punch that "normal" sweet things didn't possess. She smelled sweet and… kind of sassy. Perfect.

Eventually, Pam sighed and Ryan reluctantly let her go. However, she didn't go very far. He kept her right hand, and began running his thumb over her slender fingers. "So," she laughed softly. "What was that about?"

Ryan didn't know how to respond. What was that about? It's not like he could tell her he was in love with her or something. Not that he would tell her that. Because it's completely untrue. He's certainly not in love with Pam Beesly. He doesn't even like her! Yes you do. Fine, he likes her a little. A normal amount. Yeah, normal. If you're a psycho stalker from a cheesy horror movie. Or if you're Jim. Alright, he likes her. He likes her a lot. But love?

"Come on," he cracked a smile. "You're my secret twelve-year-old girlfriend. If I can't hug you, what can I do?"

"Ahh," she giggled. "You've moved past the hypothetical make-out phase much quicker than I have."

His eyebrows shot up, sending another smile across her lips. "Do you… want me to make out with you?"

"Hypothetically," she shrugged. His liking her had elevated from cheesy psycho stalker to that of a sappy prince from one of those old Disney movies. But I still don't love her. Never letting go of her hand, Ryan scooped his coat and briefcase off the floor and the two headed toward the elevator. They remained in a comfortable silence as he walked her to her tiny Yaris. "I'm going to take the risk of sounding corny, but… I don't think I want this night to end."

Ryan's eyes grew wide as he contemplated the meaning behind her words. Certainly she didn't mean she wanted to… No. Did she? "I, hum… Uh?"

"That's not what I meant. Please Ryan, you really think I sleep around on the first date?" she laughed, pushing him away. He only blinked. Date? "Do you want to grab some coffee? Maybe waste your gas and drive around the city that is Scranton." He let out a breath and led her to his small car, opening the passenger door for her before settling into his own seat.

"So, please tell me what this is about," she giggled and pulled Mose's creation from her purse as he started the engine. Seeing the miniature statue again, Ryan erupted into laughter with her.

"Well, when I signed up for a lesson with Dwight, I don't think I fully realized what I was getting into…"